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Monday September 23, 2013 6:52 AM

There are few places I’d rather be than inside a record store.

My wife has come to accept the fact that, when we visit a new city, the top destination on my
list undoubtedly is some obscure shop that might have a collection of imported British rock singles
I haven’t been able to find in Columbus.

In recent months, though, I’ve altered my purchasing habits.

It’s not that I’m suddenly buying less music; I’ve just been buying new releases from some
favorite bands via their online stores.

The process has made me a bit uneasy.

These limited-edition versions contain exclusive tracks, bonus records and all kinds of add-ons
that saps such as me will rush out to purchase.

They aren’t available in stores, so I don’t really have a choice in the matter. Bonus tracks are
akin to kryptonite for the obsessive music fan.

Still, I’m missing out on the experience of buying the record.

As Jack White, ambassador for National Record Store Day 2013 (it’s for real), put it: There’s no
romance in a mouse click.

When my long-awaited Beady Eye vinyl arrived nearly two weeks late this summer, my mailman
looked at me with concern as I rushed to greet him at the mailbox.

And when he acted as if he was going to throw it like a Frisbee, I am sure my life flashed
before my eyes.

This would not happen at a record store.

The album would arrive on time, and my obsessive fandom would be celebrated as soon as I walked
into the store.